Our Family Has Fallen

”But why the Beast Lair?” Grendel wasn’t like the others; she could keep up with Lance’s train of thought and had guessed earlier that his objective was still the Beast Lair, not the deeper wilderness.

”Because the road isn’t finished yet. Our strategy towards the wilderness has always been to nibble away at it. Those sporadic heretics and mutated beasts can’t shake our outposts. But after interpreting the data brought back from those Beast Lairs, I discovered that the Pigmen have been receiving support and modifications from the Ascension Sect for many years. Their situation isn’t simple. We must investigate thoroughly, and even before they attack us, we must strike first and eliminate them!”

The reason was actually quite simple. Firstly, the Beast Lair’s location was confirmed. Secondly, those damn members of the Ascension Sect didn’t have a fixed camp. Thus, to plunder a large amount of Spiritual Essence, Lance would definitely choose the Beast Lair as his target.

”When do we set off?”

”Immediately. We’ll camp at the outpost tonight and delve into the Beast Lair tomorrow.”

”Ah! So soon?” Grendel was a bit surprised, especially since previous expeditions had always set off only after ample preparation and planning.

”Because now, with all of you in Hamlet, I, the Lord, can finally slack off a bit,” Lance said with a laugh.

But such optimistic words caused Grendel a pang of distress.

Probably only someone as close to him as Grendel knew just how busy Lance actually was. His return from the Beast Lair had been immediately followed by the Warwolf invasion. Then came issues with Bastia, the Romani, and leprosy, along with cleaning up the aftermath. He also had to oversee the casting of cannons, shipbuilding, and the management of fleets and caravans...

Arguably, it was his terrifying stamina that had enabled him to deal with everything that needed handling in such a short time. Anyone else would likely have been worked to death.

And now, unrest in the wilderness was forcing him to set out once more.

She had learned from Boudica what the Beast Lair was like; it was no pleasant outing.

”I understand.”

Still, Grendel agreed and accepted the responsibility.

”You can put those potions aside for now. Don’t be like Paracelsus, working overtime every day. The work is never-ending; your health is more important.”

Lance was still worried. Grendel already had her hands full with various potions and herbs, following up on the leprosy cases, and developing new medicines. If she had to handle the town’s affairs on top of all that, Lance feared she would be overwhelmed, a thought he couldn’t bear.

”And what about you?” For the first time in a while, Grendel retorted, ”Can’t you rest for a couple of days?”

Grendel’s heart truly ached for him, and she desperately wanted Lance to get some proper rest.

”I…” Lance hesitated for a moment. I wish I could just slack off, but alas, the ancestors wouldn’t allow it...

Sensing Grendel’s emotions, he could only offer a wry smile. ”Next time, for sure.”

I knew it, Grendel thought, seeming to have anticipated his answer. She said nothing more.

She understood the problems Hamlet faced. All she could do was stand by his side, support him, and help shoulder as much of the burden as possible.

She hoped she could stay by his side until the very end...

Lance returned to the Lord’s Mansion and went directly to a room.

”Are you interested in some field research?”

Alhazred set down the manuscript in his hands and looked at Lance. ”Good!” he said, his tone slow but grave.

Alhazred joined the team!

Lance then called outside.

”Boudica! Time to work!”

Soon, Boudica arrived, carrying her Axe Spear, her face etched with barely suppressed excitement.

”Chief, who are we chopping this time?”

Boudica joined the team!

Lance gave them both some time to prepare. He then went to a detached house and knocked on the door.

The door opened quickly, and Lance spoke directly to the person inside.

”Interested in seeing the real Hamlet?”

Amanda, who had just started to relax after returning, was briefly stunned. However, she quickly realized this was a rare show of trust from him and nodded without much hesitation.

”Good!”

Amanda joined the team!

Soon, the team assembled and boarded a carriage heading towards the wilderness outpost.

Lance took this opportunity to brief them on the mission: their destination, the Beast Lair; the mission details; the potential enemies they might encounter there; and their weaknesses.

”These monsters have warped and thrived on our land, posing a significant threat to Hamlet. We must eradicate them.”

Boudica had been to the Beast Lair once before, so this information didn’t faze her much. She was just ready to kill.

Alhazred had previously discussed the Beast Lair with Lance. Moreover, considering the many strange places he’d visited in his career, this journey didn’t elicit much of a reaction from him either.

Only Amanda grew serious as she listened to Lance’s descriptions.

”I have never heard of such creatures in the world!”

Amanda couldn’t help but voice her doubt. Her organization had focused on intelligence gathering and trading for years, and she had studied encyclopedias of the world’s monsters since she was very young.

This Pigman, a hybrid of pig and human yet possessing considerable intellect, was quite a shock to her.

”There’s still so much unknown in this world awaiting our exploration,” Lance replied with a light, unconcerned smile.

Seeing this, Amanda didn’t press further. However, her mind raced with thoughts, and she found herself glancing occasionally at Alhazred.